SOUTH RIDING, Va. — The preparation and excitement surrounding Sunday’s wildcard round game between the Washington Redskins and the Green Bay Packers won’t be limited to Redskins Park and FedEx Field.
Local fans and business owners are warming up for a weekend of football-themed food and drink specials.
“It’s been a while since the Redskins have given us something to cheer about,” says Jim Speros, owner of Velocity Wings, a sports bar and restaurant in South Riding.
Speros has some inside knowledge of the Redskins: He was the team’s strength and conditioning coach, and a defensive assistant, under Joe Gibbs.
“When the Redskins are winning, the town is happy — that’s just the way it is,” says Speros. “And, it helps business.”
As bartenders pour shooters layered with liquors in Redskins and Packers uniform colors, Speros says topical specials add to the fun — and profit.
“We have something called the Rodgers Burger [named for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers] and the Cousins Burger [for Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins].”
Speros says happy fans spend more money in a sports bar.
“I can tell you from my experience, if the Redskins are winning, your business is up 20 percent,” Speros says.
Fans —lured to the restaurant at 7 a.m. Friday with the promise of early-morning wings and bar fare —say they plan to watch the game with other fans Sunday afternoon, rather than at home.
“There’s more excitement, because everyone gets into it,” says one female fan, who identified herself as Nina.
Her friend Chris expects he’ll partake of drink and food specials. “That’s the reason I even go out — all that’s happening at the same time as the game,” Chris says.
While most restaurants and bars in the area cater to local teams, Packers fans have some places to root (and eat).
Clarendon Grill will hold a free “Cheesehead” pre-gameday pep rally hosted by Packers Everywhere — a group that unites the team’s fans far from Lambeau Field. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
Duffy’s Irish Pub in D.C. has been a Packers hangout and will serve $4 Wisconsin brats, according to a Washington Post roundup of places to watch the game.
Lou’s City Bar promises if the Redskins win, everyone will get a free “You Like That!” shooter, quoting Cousins’ catchphrase.
Sudhouse DC tweeted that it will serve free Jack Daniels whiskey shots whenever the Redskins score on Sunday.
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse will be showing the game on a full-sized movie screen. Admission is free.